A couple of months ago, my health-insurance company sent me a notice to inform me that as of Jan. 1, my premiums would be increasing by around $200 a month, and the corresponding annual deductible would be increasing by $4,000 a year. That would have effectively put anything beyond basic preventive health care beyond my reach unless I had a catastrophic health event.

By using the Connect for Health Colorado website, I found I was qualified for enough of a subsidy that my new plan (five-star Gold) will only increase my monthly premium by approximately $100 a month, but my deductible will decrease by about $1,500 annually. The only drawback to keeping my primary care physician was my Connect for Health plan choices dropped from 48 to 36 plans. Gee. That’s a Wow for me!

My annual out-of-pocket expenses, including the monthly premiums, will now be around $4,000. That translates to more actual health care – with my chosen physician – because I won’t have to meet a high deductible. I can go to the doctor instead of having to tough it out for those small problems, which so frequently turn into larger issues. I won’t be excluded from coverage because of pre-existing conditions. Once I meet my deductible – $500! – I’ll have no copays for things like X-rays, lab work, medical devices, emergency care, outpatient surgery, prenatal/postnatal, delivery/maternal care, etc. And I keep my doctor!

Yes, this is better access to health care.

Diana E. Badeaux

Durango